PPG acquires specialty products for aerospace aftermarket

PITTSBURGH, May 1, 2006 – PPG Industries has acquired certain assets of privately held Eldorado Chemical Co., Inc., a manufacturer of paint strippers and technical cleaners for the aerospace industry. Terms were not disclosed.

“Eldorado’s products complement PPG’s coatings aftermarket business, enabling us to offer a full line of airplane repainting products,” said J. Rich Alexander, senior vice president, coatings. “As a result, we can simplify the repainting process for the commercial and military maintenance markets. In addition, Eldorado’s peroxide-activated technology is the world leader in environmentally friendly paint strippers.”

Alexander said Eldorado’s products strengthen PPG’s industrial and architectural businesses, too. “As an aerospace distributor of Eldorado’s products the past year, we know how effective they are. In addition, we understand how they can benefit the industrial and architectural aftermarkets as well.”

Included in the acquisition are product formulas, brand names and product certifications.

Eldorado, based in Indianapolis, has been a pioneer in the aerospace specialty chemical field for more than three decades, developing special chemical compounds and processes. Eldorado’s customers include the U.S. military, most of the world's major commercial airlines, original equipment manufacturers, hundreds of aircraft maintenance facilities, fix-base operators and regional airlines worldwide.

PPG’s aerospace business unit is the world’s leading supplier of coatings, sealants, application systems and cockpit transparencies, serving original equipment manufacturers and the maintenance markets for the commercial, military, regional jet and general aviation industries. Pittsburgh-based PPG is also a global supplier of glass, coatings, fiber glass and chemicals. Sales in 2005 were US$10.2 billion.